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Air quality issues
Find information on the types of issues that we can deal with, make an air quality complaint, and find out more about air pollution and what we are doing to improve air quality in the borough.
Unnecessary engine idling
Unnecessary engine idling is an offence under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act (1988). Drivers who are caught idling unnecessarily may receive a fixed penalty notice of £20. This is because engine idling is a significant source of air and noise pollution.
There are certain exceptions when a driver is be permitted to leave the engine running:
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the vehicle is stationary in traffic
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the engine is left running in order to diagnose a fault
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machinery on-board requires power from the engine to refrigerate fresh goods
To combat unnecessary engine idling, the Council is carrying out an extensive awareness raising campaign. We have installed a large number of anti-idling signs and banners in high risk locations around the borough. We are also taking part in an anti-idling project, funded by the Mayor of London's Air Quality Fund and administered by officers at Camden Council and the City of London Corporation.
Please find more information on the Idling Action website.
Make a complaint
The Council will not be able to issue a fixed penalty notice unless the offence is witnessed first-hand by an authorised Council officer. However, if you would like to make us aware of a location in which unnecessary engine idling occurs commonly, please use online form below.
Report an air quality complaint
NB - We do not accept anonymous complaints because we need to be able to contact you to discuss the issue. However, your identity will be protected in accordance with data protection regulations. If your complaint goes to court your identity may be revealed.